Photographer's Note

Pictured here is Killeen Castle in the small town of Dunsany, County Meath.

Although much of the castle as it is today is a 19th century reconstruction, this site has been occupied by a castle as far back as 1180. It is believed the original castle may have been a wooden Norman fortification built by the De Lacy family, who also know fame in the area for constructing the nearby and gigantic Trim castle.

The first stone castle was built by Geoffrey De Cusack in 1181, and this date is carved into the doorway.

Through the years, the castle has seen many occupants. From the Cusack family, through the Plunkett family and the Barons of Killeen.

In the late 17th century, the castle fell into major disrepair. It remained this way until 1779 when parts of the castles demesne were laid out and some newer features added to the castle.

From 1803 to 1813, major reworking of the castle was carried out by Francis Johnston, and this involved demolition of much of the original castle, and the materials used to build the castle we see today. The castle was redesigned to be a mini Windsor castle, and was said to have had 365 windows.

After being burnt out in 1981 and lying in ruin, it was announced in 2006 that the castle would become a luxury 179 room luxury hotel and spa, and would include a championship gold course in its grounds. Due to the downturn in global tourism, in 2009 the main investor pulled out, and the hotel never seen its renovations. Despite the well kept appearance of the exterior of the building, the inside requires complete fitting out.

The golf course was built, and designed by Jack Nicklaus and the golfer on the right of the shot is the statue of him placed here on the first tee to celebrate his design.

Within the castles grounds are nine lakes, some beautiful forest walks, a ruined medieval church, a holy well and of course the castle itself. While the owners welcome visitors here in Killeen, the nearby twin castle of Dunsany is off limits to visitors as it is a private residence.

Geez.. is he going for one of the castle windows, Noel?:))
Wonderful picture - history and sport combined, add to that the perfect weather and there's nothing else to wish for:) I see the sun was a bit too strong for the camera but a slight over-exposure reflects the atmosphere of the day excellently. Lovely picture.
Thanks and cheers!

Hello Noel,
an amazing world, using castles as hotels and private residences. The description of the castle's grounds in your note is fascinating and your picture gives us a very rewarding and attractive view. The dark castle is really imposing and seen with impressive clarity. I like very much the "dialogue" between the castle and the statue through your composition. The perspective and the tonal character that unites them is most effective. I love the contrast created by the brilliant lawn and the dramatic sky. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

Fore......five, six, probably even seven or eight....the amount of shots it would take me to finally sink a hole. Worst part of that though....that would be on a miniature golf course! :) Heaven forbid I try the real deal any more these days...and if I played there, they'd be wise to board up all of the windows until I'm done!

You've shown us some incredible shots of castles, and I distinctly remember seeing this one. That being said, you've brought it to new light with this composition, it kind of took me by surprise at first look...I would have never expected to have it intertwined with a statue of a sports figure. What an amazing setting, I sure hope good 'ol Jack is honored to be solidified here! Big congrats on the originality of this arrangement, the mixture of these two elements combined with the always enjoyable blue/green color scheme has made for a most pleasing image.

I can't help but think of Caddyshack any time I see or hear something related to golf, "Last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield...classic! Enjoy the day ahead.

Noel, I thought from the thumbnail that this would show that there was a golfing nut and eccentric living in this stately castle. Of course, I didn't recognise Jack Niklaus, and still don't. But then my philosophy of golf is that the worse you are, the more shots you get. It's a very well composed shot, with well chosen foreground interest in one corner and the grey towers with strong light and shade in the opposing. Thanks for your informative note.
Regards,
Andrew

Thank you very much for your interesting notes.
Ireland one of the most beautiful countries for photographers through the a lot legends and nice castles.
Also the national sport with the statue of the golfer makes your picture attractive.
Excellent composition.
Very well done, TFS.

Hello Noel,
Nicely composed to create a good juxtaposition between the statue of the golfer and the castle. The swathe of green in between creates depth for the image. The composition is pleasantly lit and has attractive natural colours. Very good sharpness.

Hi Noel, lovely view of this beautiful castle with golfer figure, very well composed and captured in this photograph very good and nice. An interesting image of a nice place. Very good sharpness, depth, nice light and color. A nice, good job perfectly done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good afternoon and happy week.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.

Hi Noel,
I'm a golfer. After having seen your excellent photo and reading your interesting note I came to idea to have a game there one day. Must be an interesting place to visit.
I like your composition with JN statue and the dominant castle in BG. The asymmetrical arrangement creates nice balance and harmony. Well done my friend. Greetings, Miro

Hi Noel,
Excellent POV on this beautiful castle. The statue is very well placed in the picture. A little overexposure on the right top, but not a big problem since the castle and the statue are well exposed.
Thanks for sharing,
Olivier

Hi Noel,
Nice shot of Killeen Castle. What a magnificent looking building and really looks in good order, such a pity that an investor cannot be found to complete the job inside. With an 18 hole championship golf course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus is bound to be a good selling point. Nice composition with the statue just of to the side of the castle in "FORE "ground.
Regards
Arthur.

Good afternoon, this afternoon.
Very interesting and good article about the old castle, with the given data and history ...
A nice view of the golf players and castle.
Good composition and perspective, nice place and the architecture shown.
A lovely castle.
Nice afternoon and all the best.
Paja.

I wonder if there were several De Lacy families for a De Lacy family owned and were responsible for much land in N.E England.
Wouldn't it have been great if the golfer had been driving in the opposite direction, then he would have driven viewers straight to the castle! He does make a f/g figure with strong impact and he is well positioned, as is the castle; there is a lovely diagonal movement from one to the other. Great colour saturation and sharpness.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)
Thanks for your critique of Chirk Castle. Like me, you have a real affinity with old buildings.

Hi Noel,
golf is something I´d love to try,especially in such beautiful scenery like here in your shot!
Excellently composed and framed scene!Apart from the superb presentation I like these delightuful and vivid colors and strong contrast between them.
You combined here excellently two things Ireland is famous for-beautiful old Castle and sculptures.
Magnificent shot my friend!

Hi Noel,
Very nice big castle, on the middle of a golf course. I like the dark gray stone they used to build it. Probably it is the same type of limestone what was imported form Kilkenny to build an Irish Famine Monument in Toronto.
Cheers,
Barnabas

Hi Noel,
lovely presentation of this charming structure. I like the guy in the foreground, although it is quite modern and may be does not go well with the architecture behind you have made a great use of it to well compose this shot. The light was quite challenging with the clouds slightly burned out but the final effect is very pleasant.
Very well done!
M

Dear Noel,
Superb shot.. Excellent composition with this wonderful statue and the old architecture.. Superb image quality and nice colors too.. Also nice perspective.. Very well done..
Good night from Kolkata and wish you all the best..
Warm regards,
Indrasish..

Immaculate shot with perfect angle to cover so much within a single frame.The statue of the golfer and the old castle pair up to present us a unique experience of old and modern aspects clubbed together.TFS.

Hi Noel - sorry for the long absence, I took a bit of a TE breather, but I'm back and happy to catch up with everyone here. Nice shot of this statue of the "Golden Bear" with such a wonderful castle behind him - a nicely arranged shot with great daytime light. Thanks!

Hi, Noel,
"Where are the ruins" - it was my first question, but I have your note. So lovely place for a rest and relax.
Very interesting historical note and attractive photo.
Best wishes from still warm Ural,
Serghei

Hi Noel!
The exterior seems ok. I wonder how the original really looked like, so many centuries ago. The style really reminds us of Windsor.
You placed the statue very well to get a good composition with the castle and part of the gardens.